50 Best PS3 Special/Collector/Limited/Royal/Extreme/Over-priced/Mega Hype Editions – Part 2

Following on from 25-ish editions of games I’d highly recommend to anyone with shelf space and a lonely bed, is the next 25-ish-ish editions of video games that have graced the PlayStation 3 entertainment system since its launch all those years ago.

List number one can be found here… but if you’ve had enough browsing eBay for cheap boxes filled with highly flammable wonderment, then here’s some more.

Dead Island: Collectors Survival Kit

We quickly learned Deep Silver love over-doing their special editions… and whether we should praise them for giving such a large quantity and choice of different editions of their games, or curse them for making us spend more money from all corners of the globe to obtain their branded sticks is a point that you can argue with yourself over.

But one things for sure, Dead Island is arguably the best game this … last generation. And you could probably much easier argue that it isn’t. But the Polish Collectors Edition, entitled the Survivor Kit edition was quite the extravaganza.

Whilst there were indeed other fancy boxes you could choose to purchase, this edition came with everything you’d want, and everything you’d rather not have. The Gore edition of the game itself, a leash, a door hanger, a skylight rescue, a multi-functional pocket knife, binoculars and a flashlight both fully functional. A bottle, a bag, a polo shirt (nice touch) and a poster. Not to mention an actual first aid kit… what first aid you’d do with a compass, magnifying glass and a whistle I do not know. I do know, that as a package, it only helps push Dead Island into a bigger memory slot in my brain for years to come.

dead-island-survival-kitWarhammer 40K Space Marine: Collectors Edition

Warhammer is a undoubtedly and unashamedly a nerd cash cow, sink and abyss all rolled into one. Even when sub-average games like Space Marine are involved.

The fact of the matter is, it all came in a really nice box. The artbook was gorgeous, more playing cards, and a powering soundtrack… but the seal was a really nice touch. It spoke volumes to the fans, and was surprisingly nice to hold and look at.

SpaceLSonic Generations: Collectors Edition

We won’t even touch on the horrible ride Sonic has had through the last one or two generations of video games. What we will talk about was this jolly expensive,  jolly fancy collectors edition.

The history artbook was beautiful, as was the additional discs. But as all fans know, having your own Sonic ring, and a polished statue of Sonic…(s) to show off is something you can’t afford to miss out on. I’m not even a fan of the series, but the box that it all came in, is such a beauty that having to pry it open revealing the heavy goods inside is a crime, as well as a justified reward.

sonicgenElder Scrolls V Skyrim: Collectors Edition

Now I know you’ll only all moan if I don’t show any appreciation for Skyrim here. And whilst I think all things considered, there could have been more in it… the collectors edition still offered us a really nice artbook, map and special content.

But of course the dragon statue was the selling point here. Whilst it may not be blatantly obvious it’s a Elder Scrolls reference, and not just a fantasy dragon plastic figure. The detail and beauty of it nullifies all that.

skyrim-ce-3dimage-ps3_smAssassins Creed 3: Freedom Edition / Limited Edition

We have previously covered Assassins Creed, and Ubisofts approach to the editions of these so-so games. And Assassins Creed 3 gave us a large selection of… really nice editions. … Unfortunately a few of them you needed to be filthy rich, or filthy lucky to obtain them, luckily for us peasants, both the Freedom and Limited Edition were worthy choices.

They both contained Washingtons mock Notebook which was both underwhelming, and really  awesome at the same time and another meticulously crafted statue. The limited edition strayed and had another grand flag, and a belt buckle, whereas the Freedom edition granted you a lithograph and a really magnificent box.

Both by some editions standards… sub-par. But I needed to fill space for 50 felt the need to praise Ubisoft again for their constant high quality delivery of Assassins Creed merchandise.

AC3_LELGSaints Row IV: Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition / Saints Row IV: Emperor Zinyak’s Game of the Generation Edition

 No, this is not the record breaking one million dollars (or about £38 ?) edition of Saints Row 4. This is the much more affordable, pretty much just a useful item nabbage as that… the wub wub edition.

It gave you your very own wub wub gun, which I am sad to say doesn’t actually work… completely. Your very own red button, and the thinking outside the box ‘statue of character in game’.

The fact that so much dub could be put into one overtly purple box meant I had to include it. On top of that you could upgrade to the Game Of The Generation edition which nets you all this plus a retro as nanny’s strudel light up rotating display case for the game. … Aw… some.

Saints-Row-4-Super-Dangerous-Wub-Wub-Collector-s-Edition-AnnouncedDead Island Riptide: Rigor Mortis Edition

Ah yes, the not-quite-as-good-as-but-still-best-sequel-ever-to Dead Island. Riptide also had a plethora of editions to grant its fans. We’ll start with the more widely accessible Rigor Mortis edition.

The bungalow key ticks the box of in-game physical item. The hula zombie girl ticks the bobble figurine box and the zombie hand bottle opener ticks the doubles up as a fridge magnet box. Encasing all this inside a wonderfully fitting suitcase box really sweetened the deal.

DIR-Rigor-Mortis-EditionDead Island Riptide: Collectors (Czech)

Like Dead Island… (1) You were given some useful and again not so useful items if you were also too weak to resist the Czech collectors edition of Riptide. A torch, thank you very much. A lighter, I couldn’t think of anything  more apt and appropriate. A survival guide as well? Not forgetting the pulchritudinous (Apparently that means really really good) all in one tool.

…Oh, and the baseball bat towel… thing.

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Dead Island Riptide: Collectors (Poland)

Poland may have won overall though. Along with the all in one tool, you also got a poster, a lanyard, a t-shirt, 2 totally ludicrously different stickers, an axe bottle opener, a key ring, and a zombie ram stress doll. …

And of course a zombie pass for the War Z book, and if you were lucky enough a pass for War Z in a Polish cinema. These genuine real world items really pushed this edition over the edge of awesome for me.

Not forgetting a massive final shout-out to Deep Silver for going through with the Zombie Bait edition. Not only was marketing excellence. I currently don’t have a better video game related bust on any of my shelves.

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Mass Effect 3: N7 Collectors Edition

Whilst the collectors edition didn’t include the inflatable omniblade… it did offer a artbook, a ravishing fabric patch and lithograph. The soundtrack and comic were fitting too.  It was a clean package, it gave you what you’d expect… no messing about.

It’s not always about making something amazing and unique, it’s sometimes about just offering general fineness in your physical goods. And whilst this offered something a little different in the patch, everything in the box was of purity.

Mass-Effect-3-N7-Collector-s-Edition-Gets-New-Trailer-Contains-Exclusive-Bonuses-2Max Payne 3: Special Edition

The best falling down stairs in slow motion simulator I have ever played.

I wouldn’t recommend throwing this edition down the stairs backwards though, it’s rather tasty. In retrospect the statue looks more like Michael from GTA5, it was a nice early spoiler from Rockstar. The statue itself was still rather rocking, despite its slightly faded colours and expression.

However, the still life prints I adored. They were well doe and bigger than I expected, throw in a dandy little bullet keychain, again more weighty than I had envisioned and the soundtrack and you’ve got a funky little collection.

maxpayne3_specialedition_large0111212011Record Of Agarest War 2: Limited Edition

Japan have some wonderful editions of games out there. And some have transferred brilliantly overseas (look at the Catherine deluxe editions for the more well known ones) But One of my favourite editions was the limited edition Record of Agarest War 2.

A blow up doll, which I still find hilarious in it being blurred and pixelated out of promotion images from the publishers… plus a totally sterling artbook and towel… of some non-descript nature and you’ve got a dandy little package which whilst it didn’t have the booby mouse mat the original had, it still had unique incentives which were as cliché as they were brilliant.

Agarest_War_2_-_Limited_Edition_ContentsBorderlands 2: Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition / Deluxe Vault Hunters Collectors

Ah yes, Borderlands 2. An awesome game, with a well respected awesome edition… or two. I’m going to count both the Deluxe Vault Hunters Collectors Edition here as well as the Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition as they were both very deserving of appearing on this list.

In both you got a sweet bobblehead (of which is my favourite out of all the bobbleheads) Another one of my favourite artbooks, a map, some stickers and a digital comic book (meh). Still, as a set, very nice. However, add on to that the authentic looking field notes, some nice lithographs, a meritorious vending machine box for the bobblehead, a certificate and a really great creature chart all in a albeit small, but none-the-less transcendent loot chest and you’ve got one hell of a nerd box

BL2_LE_UltimateLootChest Lord Of The Rings War In The North: Collectors Edition (US)

Whilst the EU collectors edition of this somewhat entertaining, although nowhere near as good as The Third Age game was, the US edition, technically had less content… but where the artbook was magnificent, and the troll statue was gorgeous, and one of my favourites. The quiver packaging this beast all came with was too awesome not have.

Plus quite a bit of musical additions… but that case and map combination is truly a thing of beauty for a video game.

IP_LOTR_BeautyShot_6-21-11-ps3 Tales Of Xillia: Famitsu DX Pack / Tales Of Xillia 2: Famitsu DX Pack

Famitsu DX packs are springing up all over the place and are on the most part an absolute pain to get. Tales of Xillia and its sequel ingeniously titles Tales Of Xillia 2 both were obtainable… and rather worth obtaining.

In the original you were granted an actual fully graspable plush toy, I’m looking at you Lost Planet 2 Collectors Edition. A generously sized poster, a folder for storing paper… how classy. A mascot charm, which if you bought this edition 4 times you may have a chance at getting all 4 of them. I love putting random luck into collectors editions. And finally a micro-fibre cleaning cloth, something of genuine worth which I’m always looking for, but never have.

In the sequel you were granted another nicely sized plush toy, of something distinguishable this time. Plus another large poster / wall scroll and file set. Thankfully we also got a artbook, of sorts. And a mug, for the mug that likes to shop around dodgy Japanese import stores for this stuff. All in all , both offered up an interesting array of goodies for their own interesting games.

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Just look at those plushies <3

And this awful formatting.

talesofxillia2Call Of Duty Black Ops: Prestige Edition

Sorry to say, I am back to Call of Duty. Say what you like about them, they certainly put out the most unique collectors editions for their fans, who may or may not be too immature to know how to use any of their gifts. It’s just what I’ve heard.

In Blops as I affectionately know it you were given a RC-XD surveillance vehicle and transmitter. Otherwise known as a dodgy RC car with a camera on it.

Is it childish and a quick fix of fun before you realise it doesn’t quite work properly? Yes… but the RC car that comes with the game is entirely a bundle of fun… and a medal.

blops1

Call Of Duty Black Ops 2: Care Package

How do you top a RC car? A RC … ‘quadrotor drone’ or MQ-27 dragonfire? … obviously…

Or a RC helicopter for those of us who are doctors of engineering.  You also get a neat little stand, plus a box to keep it in, about a billion times better than the standard cardboard that came with Blops 1. Some coins also add some more thingymabobs to lose behind the wardrobe. All in all, a very functional and awesome package… complete with soundtrack.

blops2

Farcry 3: Insane Edition

Farcry 2 was almost in this position… because t-shirts are a major winner… but it didn’t offer much else, whereas Farcry 3 was a better game, and had a better edition.

The Vaas bobblehead was a great start, and the reason I know I got it, and I’m sure like many others was for doing your own “definition of insanity” dialogue with his adorable little plastic face. Add to that the survival guide of which I’m a fan, and a nice survival kit package, like that of The Last Of Us, except it actually gave you a case for the game. Which is handy for storage… On the subject, Batman Arkham City, why did you have to have the artbook as the game case… terrible move.

FC3Insane

Bioshock Infinite: Ultimate Songbird Edition

A fan favourite in both video game terms, and in editions… and I’m more than inclined to agree on both cases.

The Ultimate Songbird edition not only gave you a keychain of the murder of crows, teeny little resin handyman miniature (squee, I believe is the term) a lavish little artbook, a tasty lithograph and of course the songbird itself. There are some awesome statues out-there, and this really does take a high seat.

You also get lots of packaging.

bioshock_ultimate_songbird

Payday 2: Collectors Edition

Certainly not the biggest or best edition of a game out there… but the fact that what you got was not only good, but great… and it cost the same as the standard edition, crazy mad props to the guys at 505 Games / Overkill / Starbreeze.

The latex mask was awesome quality for the price, the soundtrack was great for the price, the $100 (I refuse to say bills) wallet was lush for the price and the gloves … were… well, good for washing up, bank robber style I guess.

Well done for making a great sequel to a downloadable game, and having the courage to throw this edition into the wide world.

payday2

 Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist Paladin Aircraft Edition

It’s not only Call Of Duty that can hit the sweet spot for a angst-y teenage boy. Tom Clancy’s latest offering, whilst not as good as Conviction was still a big step in the right direction for the franchise. But the Paladin Aircraft edition gave you… yep you guessed it a Paladin Aircraft.

Admittedly, to quote Monty Python, “it’s only a model” but what a model it is. And probably best to keep it as just a model, as whilst flying it, is super fun… it’s not recommended. With this you also get a poster and a nice large graphic novel to complement the now broken plane.

splinter-cell-blacklist-collectors-edition-trailer-news-1

Dead Rising 2: Outbreak Edition

Dead Rising is a series filled with the great and the terrible in video game decision making… one thing they certainly got right was the special editions, both this and the Zombrex edition were awesome…  One had a zombie, the other had a pen.

The Outbreak edition came with the aforementioned zombie… of which you could dress to your hearts desire… as long as that desire was putting either a traffic cone or a Lego head… on its head.  I admit, there wasn’t much else except a making of DVD and a PlayStation shafted theme instead of a movie, but the zombie… toy I guess was a great size and of such a good calibre I couldn’t forget it… whether that’s because it’s the closest thing to my head every evening  or it’s just damn cool is irrelevant.

EditedOutbreakEditionPS3

Dead Rising 2: Zombrex Edition

 And onto the pen edition.  If you’re more of a fan of the universe of Dead Rising, instead of just zombies this was probably your choice of editions. The pen is actually a well made syringe… except without the syringe bit, and all of the pen bit. It also came equipped with more in game fun items like the pamphlet, brochure and notepad. Again, all of reasonable size and quality.

Add to that the DVD bonuses and of course the more than pleasant artbook and you have two very enticing editions.

Dead-Rising-2-Zombrex-Edition-Detailed-Priced

Batman Arkham Origins: Collectors Edition

As a special late entry to the list, Batman Arkham Origins is a step up from its predecessor in terms of special editions… but is still just as bad a game as the rest of them.

This collectors edition gave us a really shiny artbook, some authentic looking dossier intel, and of course the figure. The figure, again being the main selling point here. I can’t fault Arkham City for their Batman figure, as it was gorgeous, and this one only improves on it. A very sleek and stylish collectors item for anyone interested in Batman… … or anyone with no other commitments other than giving more places for dust to settle.

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And there we have it the final 25… ish special editions I would easily recommend. Whilst there are many other obtainable editions available, and even more that you can only get through certain means (some of which are seriously to die for) there’s certainly something for everyone… if you like collecting these things that is.

A tiny shout out to each and every Dead Island edition for being brilliantly priced at an average of £70. … And because I shamelessly adore the series.

There is also looking to be no shortage of special editions of games in the future to get your hands on, just as a teaser for the coming few months:

Watch Dogs: Dedsec Edition … if it ever gets released

Dark Souls 2: Collectors Edition … if I ever complete the original

Castlevania Lord Of Shadow 2: Dracula Tomb Premium Edition … if… … nope… definitely getting this then immediately forgetting about everything that came with it… and the game probably.

Here’s to the PS3, and all the cheap Chinese goods it supplied us with. And to the PS4 and many more big boxes filling shelves, and more likely online retailers warehouses.

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